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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). By Isabelle! and sofia and ronaldo. Introduction – What is it?.
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) By Isabelle! and sofia and ronaldo
Introduction – What is it? • Why it’s a technique used in psychology whereby a participant is placed prone inside a scanning machine while magnetic fields and pulses of radio wave energy are used to create three-dimensional images of structures within the brain. • This allows researches to see, by detecting changes in oxygen consumption, what brain activity and which brain structures are involved in various cognitive processes.
MRI • This technology is based on the discovery that when the body is exposed to a strong magnetic field, the protons in the water inside the body change their alignment. • The signal from the scanner can then be transformed into a visual representation • MRI scans are relatively safe compared to CT scans where there is an exposure to X-ray radiation
Strengths • Show evidence of brain activity which other scanning techniques cannot show • Regarded as the best scanning technique for soft tissues, like brain structures • Images from MRI scans are digital and can be studied further on the computer • There are no serious side effects associated with it (harmful ionizing radiation is not used)
Weaknesses • Strong magnetic current can affect pacemakers, artificial limbs and medical devices containing iron • Iron pigments in tattoos cause skin irritations, possible risk of allergic reactions • MRI scans are generally more expensive than other neuro-imaging methods • Requires a trained radiologist to analyze the images produced
Maguire et al. – Taxi driver study Aim: • Investigate the function of Hippocampus in spacial memory. Method: • Participants were 16 mentally and physically healthy right handed male taxi drivers. • Age range from 32 to 62. • Controls were 50 mentally and physically healthy right handed male. • Age range and distribution was similar to the taxi drivers. • Participants and controls were scanned with the same MRI machine. • The amount and density of the grey matter in the hippocampus (which translates into the processors) was counted. Findings: • Taxi drivers have a significantly larger hippocampus. • The volume of the hippocampus correlates with the amount of time as a taxi driver. Conclusion & Evaluation: • MRI can be used to detect the active areas of the brain. • Maguire et al. argue that this study demonstrates the plasticity of the hippocampus in response to environmental demands.